brakes
Brake Rotors - Rear Pair
for 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor AWD · AWD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
1.0 h
Tools
11
Steps
8
✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.
Replace both rear brake rotors on a 2024 Model 3 Long Range AWD. The rear caliper uses an integrated electric parking brake (EPB) which must be placed in service mode via the touchscreen before the caliper can be retracted and removed.
Warnings
⚠️Do not touch, cut, or pierce any orange cable. The HV battery pack runs along the floor of the Model 3 — keep jack and stand contact points to factory-designated lift points only.
⚠Rear calipers have an integrated electric parking brake (EPB). You MUST place the vehicle in Brake Service Mode via the touchscreen (Service menu) before retracting the rear caliper pistons. Failure to do so can damage the EPB actuator.
⚠Model 3 uses a steel/aluminum hybrid body. Do not strike suspension or knuckle components with a steel hammer — use a dead-blow or brass drift if a rotor is seized to the hub.
ℹ️Tesla recommends brake fluid service every 2 years regardless of mileage. If fluid is older than 2 years or dark, plan to flush after this job.
⚠Use only Tesla-approved jack pad locations. Lifting on the battery pack edge or pinch welds will damage the structural pack.
Tools required
Floor jack and jack stands (or lift)Essential
Jack pad pucks (Tesla-compatible to protect battery pack)Essential
Torque wrench (5-150 Nm range)Essential
Metric socket setEssential
Hex/Triple-square bit set for caliper slide boltsEssential
Wire brush and rotor hub cleanerEssential
Brake caliper hanger or bungeeEssential
Anti-seize compound (for hub face)
Brake parts cleanerEssential
Medium-strength threadlockerEssential
Silicone brake grease (for slide pins)Essential
Parts
- Rear brake rotors (matched pair, OEM or OEM-equivalent for Model 3 LR AWD) × 2 — Manufacturer-specified rear rotor for 2024 Model 3 Long Range AWD
- Rotor set screws (if damaged on removal) × 2 — OEM Tesla rotor retaining screw
Preparation
- Park on level ground, place in P, and engage the parking brake.
- Exit ALL doors with the key fob/phone key away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
- Before disconnecting 12V: on the touchscreen, go to Service > Brakes and enable 'Brake Service Mode' (or equivalent). This retracts the EPB and prevents it from re-engaging. Confirm message that service mode is active.
- Disconnect the low-voltage battery. On 2024 Model 3, the 12V (Li-ion) battery is located under the rear floor area or behind the right rear seat back panel depending on build — refer to architecture notes and locate before starting.
- DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
- If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
- Loosen rear lug nuts while wheels are on the ground.
- Lift the vehicle at Tesla-designated rear jack points using rubber pucks. Support on jack stands rated for the vehicle's weight.
- Remove both rear wheels and set aside on a non-marring surface.
Procedure
- 1Inspect and documentPhotograph the caliper, brake line, EPB connector routing, and any wear sensor harness before disassembly. Note rotor wear, lip thickness, and pad condition. Confirm the EPB is in service/retracted mode (no resistance when manually checking caliper).
- 2Disconnect EPB connector (if required for caliper removal)Locate the electric parking brake harness connector at the rear caliper. If your method requires removing the caliper body fully, gently release the connector lock and unplug. If only swinging the caliper aside on the slides, the connector can remain attached — do not stress the harness.⚠Do not pull on the EPB harness. The connector has a locking tab that must be released first.
- 3Remove caliper slide pin bolts and lift caliper offRemove the two caliper slide pin bolts holding the caliper body to the bracket. Slide the caliper off the pads and support it with a hanger or bungee from the suspension — never let it hang by the brake hose or EPB harness.⚠Never let the caliper hang by the flexible brake hose.Torque specCaliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
- 4Remove brake padsSlide the inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket. Note the orientation of any wear shims or anti-rattle clips for reinstallation. Inspect pads — if near minimum thickness, plan to replace as a set with the rotors.
- 5Remove caliper bracket boltsRemove the two caliper bracket-to-knuckle bolts. These are torqued high and may have factory threadlocker — use a long breaker bar. Remove the bracket and set aside.⚠Do not pry against the aluminum knuckle with sharp tools — use a soft drift if needed.Torque specBracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
- 6Remove rotor set screw and rotorRemove the small rotor retaining set screw (Torx). If the rotor is rust-bonded to the hub, apply penetrating oil at the hub center and tap the rotor face evenly with a dead-blow hammer or use the threaded jacking holes (if present) with appropriately sized bolts to push the rotor off. Do not strike with a steel hammer.⚠Never use heat or impact on the wheel bearing area — Model 3 uses a sealed hub assembly.Torque specRotor Set Screws7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
- 7Clean hub faceWire-brush the hub mating surface until bare metal is showing. Any rust or debris between hub and rotor will cause runout and pulsation. Wipe clean with brake cleaner. Optionally apply a very thin film of anti-seize to the hub center bore only — keep off the rotor friction surface and lug studs.
- 8Repeat for opposite rear sidePerform steps 2–7 on the other rear corner before reassembly so both sides are inspected and prepped together.
Reassembly
- Wipe new rotors with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil from both friction surfaces.
- Install the new rotor onto the hub, aligning the set screw hole. Install and snug the rotor set screw, then torque to spec.
- Reinstall the caliper bracket onto the knuckle. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the bracket bolt threads if not pre-applied. Torque the caliper bracket bolts to spec.
- Reinstall pads into the bracket with any anti-rattle clips/shims oriented as removed.
- Apply a light film of silicone brake grease to the caliper slide pins and verify they slide freely.
- Reposition the caliper over the pads. Install the caliper slide pin bolts and torque to spec.
- Reconnect the EPB harness connector if it was unplugged. Verify connector is fully seated and locked.
- Reinstall both rear wheels. Hand-thread all lug nuts, then torque in a star pattern to spec once the vehicle is on the ground.
- Lower vehicle to the ground.
- Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
- Power up the vehicle. On the touchscreen, exit Brake Service Mode. The system will cycle the EPB actuators — listen for normal motor operation on both rear calipers.
- With the vehicle stationary and brake pedal pressed, pump the pedal 5-10 times until firm to seat the pads against the new rotors before driving.
Verification
- Confirm the touchscreen shows no brake or EPB faults after exiting Brake Service Mode.
- Engage and release the parking brake several times via the touchscreen — listen for clean, symmetrical actuation from both rear calipers.
- At low speed in a safe area, perform several light stops to verify even braking and no pulling. Then perform a moderate stop to confirm pedal firmness.
- Bed-in the new rotors per the rotor manufacturer's procedure (typically 6-10 progressively harder stops from ~40 mph to ~10 mph without coming to a complete stop, then a cool-down drive).
- After a short test drive, recheck wheel lug nut torque in star pattern.
- Visually inspect for any fluid leaks at the caliper or hose fittings (none should exist on a rotor-only job — if present, investigate immediately).
- Reminder: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — log this date if fluid was not serviced during this job.